Erap strong contender in 2016, says lawmaker

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will be a strong contender in the 2016 presidential polls as the masses have faith in him.

That’s the view of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, immigration commissioner during the Estrada administration.

On the other hand, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Board of Trustees chairman Benjamin Diokno said Estrada’s former Cabinet will support him in 2016 should he decide to run for the presidency a third time.

In an interview with The STAR, the former budget secretary said his former colleagues in the Cabinet remain intact 14 years after Estrada was ousted from the presidency.

“We have been meeting every month,” he said. “I cannot turn him down. The best presidents are those with no insecurities.”

Diokno said the 77-year-old Estrada is still fit to become president.

“If he will run for president, we will support him, we will support whatever he wants,” he said.

Rodriguez told The STAR in an interview that Estrada still has a huge following among Filipinos.

“He is still a force to reckon with in politics,” he said.

“He will be a strong contender definitely if he puts his hat in the ring. He will always be a contender because the masses, the people, have faith in him and always support him.”

Rodriguez said Estrada will always have a great number of supporters all over the country.

“I congratulate the president for winning in the Supreme Court,” he said. “It was certainly a right decision and the pardon was absolute and restored his rights.”  

Rodriguez said Estrada’s huge following was seen when his wife   and two sons were elected to the Senate.

“After his conviction, the fact that his wife won as senator, the fact that his two children became senators, now he is mayor of Manila, showed that President Estrada still has a mass following,” he said.

“As to his decision (whether to run for president), that will be something very personal to him and how he sees he can help the Filipino people.” – Alexis Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano